Minerva endocrinology最新文献

{"title":"Role of microRNA in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis and their therapeutic potential.","authors":"Manar F Atoum, Ala' S Almehsen, Dalia A Alowaisy","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04322-2","DOIUrl":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04322-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing β-cells in the pancreatic islets, resulting in complete insulin deficiency. The pathogenesis of T1D is multifactorial and includes genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. Recent research has highlighted the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating immune responses and β-cell function, making them promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Our research included published articles focused on MiRNAs are small, non-coding RNA molecules that modulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, influencing processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Data was gathered from different sources including different databases. This review examines the biogenesis and function of miRNAs, their involvement in T1D pathogenesis, and their potential role as therapeutic targets. Also addressing the challenges and future directions for miRNA-based therapies. In T1D, miRNAs have been shown to regulate immune-mediated β-cell destruction and inflammatory responses, contributing to disease progression. miR-21, miR-146a, and miR-155 play important roles in modulating immune pathways that influence β-cell survival. Due to their potential for early diagnosis and therapeutic modulation, miRNAs are being explored as non-invasive biomarkers detectable in blood and urine and targets for therapeutic interventions. However, challenges related to the specificity of the miRNA targeting, stability, and delivery systems must be addressed to realize their clinical potential. Nanoparticle-based delivery systems promise to overcome these challenges by increasing the precision of miRNA targeting and improving their stability.</p>","PeriodicalId":18690,"journal":{"name":"Minerva endocrinology","volume":" ","pages":"212-223"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145998607","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of testosterone undecanoate as add-on therapy in obese hypogonadal men that are late responders to tirzepatide: a pilot study.","authors":"Giuseppe Seminara, Marco Leuzzi, Leonardo Meduri, Emanuela A Greco, Antonio Aversa","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6507.26.04541-0","DOIUrl":"10.23736/S2724-6507.26.04541-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Male obesity-associated hypogonadism promotes a vicious cycle of sarcopenic obesity and increased cardiometabolic risk. Although tirzepatide is highly effective for weight loss, a subset of \"late responders\" has been reported, and treatment-induced lean body mass (LBM) depletion remains a significant clinical concern. This pilot study evaluated the efficacy of adding testosterone undecanoate (TRT) to tirzepatide in this specific population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We enrolled 10 obese men (age range: 35-44 years; Body Mass Index [BMI] = 35.8±2.1 kg/m²) with functional secondary hypogonadism after ≥3 months of treatment with tirzepatide and <5% total body weight loss (late responders). Patients were then allocated to group A (tirzepatide monotherapy, N.=5) or group B (combined tirzepatide plus testosterone undecanoate 1000 mg/im, N.=5) and re-evaluated after 6 months. DXA-derived body composition, hormonal and metabolic profiles, sexual function (International Index of Erectile Function-5, IIEF-5), and physical activity levels (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire) were evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At 6 months, group B demonstrated significantly greater body weight and fat mass reduction compared to group A (P<0.05). Notably, while group A experienced progressive LBM loss, group B achieved significant LBM recovery (66.1±3.1 kg vs. 63.4±3.0 kg in group A, P<0.01). group B showed restored testosterone levels, leading to superior improvements in insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR: 2.9±0.6 vs. 3.8±0.7, P<0.01) and sexual health (IIEF-5: 23.2±2.1 vs. 18.0±1.5, P<0.001). Additionally, group B exhibited nearly doubled physical activity levels (P<0.001), suggesting a synergy between hormonal restoration and increased exercise motivation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our preliminary findings suggest that adding TRT to tirzepatide in late tirzepatide responders who are hypogonadal may optimize weight loss quality, prevent muscle depletion, and restore sexual and metabolic health. This dual pharmacological approach represents a promising precision medicine strategy for managing complex phenotypes of male obesity-associated hypogonadism.</p>","PeriodicalId":18690,"journal":{"name":"Minerva endocrinology","volume":" ","pages":"104-117"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147377315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sexual and reproductive effects of androgenic anabolic steroids abuse: a clinical challenge in male and female cisgender and transgender individuals.","authors":"Cristina Antinozzi, Luigi DI Luigi","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04413-6","DOIUrl":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04413-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Currently, worldwide millions of individuals, athletes, and non-athletes, of different ages and probably of all social genders (cisgender males and females, male to female (MtF) and female to male (FtM) transgenders, etc.), are current or former androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) abusers. AAS abuse is associated with seriously increased short- and long-term risks for general, reproductive and sexual health. Indeed, to improve the knowledge and health of the population at risk of AAS misuse and standardize the current clinical practice concerning the health risks of such abuse, it is essential to also prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat all reproductive and sexual sequelae of non-therapeutic AAS assumption. The main AAS-related pathways and factors influencing reproduction and sexuality in humans, the possible reproductive and sexual signs and symptoms associated with AAS abuse and to AAS withdrawal, and the major concerns in the diagnosis and management of such clinical conditions are reported. The scientific literature has mainly evaluated male AAS abusers, but, we tried to describe/hypothesize all the possible reproductive and sexual side effects and concerns of AAS abuse also in other genders.</p>","PeriodicalId":18690,"journal":{"name":"Minerva endocrinology","volume":" ","pages":"171-189"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145743256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An overview of insulin resistance: from molecular mechanisms to medical interventions.","authors":"Sristi Dey, Promit S Roy, Angel Mendonca, Vaibhav Gawande, Aparajita Acharjee, Vijay Manoharan, Beenash Khan, Sujatha Sundaresan","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04390-8","DOIUrl":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04390-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Insulin resistance (IR) is a condition where insulin-targeted tissues (muscle, liver, and adipose tissue) fail to normally respond to insulin action, leading to impaired insulin signaling and hyperglycemia. It is common in individuals with obesity and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with the most prevalent disorders being polycystic ovarian syndrome and coronary artery disease. IR is also associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidemia. Current methods for detecting and measuring insulin sensitivity include the oral glucose tolerance test, insulin tolerance test, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Therapies for treating and preventing IR includes physical activity, diet modifications, and medications like Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, gliclazide and metformin. This review aims at deciphering the molecular mechanisms and factors contributing to IR, potential clinical practices for measuring IR, medications for treating T2DM and the physical activity and dietary measures for controlling IR.</p>","PeriodicalId":18690,"journal":{"name":"Minerva endocrinology","volume":" ","pages":"190-211"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145781571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Expert opinion by the Italian Society of Gynecology of the Third Age (SIGiTE) and the Italian Society of Menopause (SIM) on diagnosis and treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency.","authors":"Anna Capozzi, Simona Ambroggio, Angelo Cagnacci, Marco Gambacciani, Stefano Lello, Costantino DI Carlo","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04422-7","DOIUrl":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04422-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a critical condition affecting young women before the median age of menopause and consisting of spontaneous oligo-amenorrhea for at least four months associated with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels ≥25 UI/L detected before 40 years of age. Several causes like genetic abnormalities, autoimmune diseases, drugs and/or pelvic surgery may favor this condition that is associated with a deeper clinical impact on women's health compared to physiological menopause. Specifically, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems as well as brain could be especially affected by the early loss of ovarian hormones. Therefore, appropriate treatment is necessary to adequately narrow the biological gap with the average age of menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the treatment of choice, regardless of the presence of neurovegetative symptoms. Transdermal high dosage of natural estradiol is generally preferred to guarantee the preservation of cardio-metabolic and bone health. When contraception is required, oral estroprogestins (EPs) maybe considered. A referral to reproductive experts for fertility preservation techniques should be considered case by case.</p>","PeriodicalId":18690,"journal":{"name":"Minerva endocrinology","volume":" ","pages":"88-95"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145482523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Magnitude and time course of urinary iodine excretion in patients after amiodarone therapy.","authors":"Giulia Marchionni, Giuseppe Pinto, Massimo Locatelli, Roberto Spoladore, Luca Foppoli, Giuseppe Monaca, Alberto Margonato, Gabriele Fragasso","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6507.24.04213-1","DOIUrl":"10.23736/S2724-6507.24.04213-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Amiodarone is a source of iodine excess that may persist in the body for long time after its withdrawal. The aim of the present analysis was to evaluate the magnitude and long-term time course of 24-h urinary iodine (UI) excretion in patients on antiarrhythmic therapy with amiodarone.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>24-h UI excretion and thyroid function were evaluated in 67 patients on amiodarone therapy. All patients were clinically and biochemically euthyroid before starting treatment and were followed-up by 6-month measurements of 24-h UI excretion and plasma thyroid hormones levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Upon amiodarone withdrawal, normal range of UI was achieved after a mean time of 15.2±7.7 months. Since amiodarone initiation, 20 patients developed thyroid dysfunction. No differences were observed in terms of treatment length or median UI levels between patients remaining euthyroid and those developing thyroid dysfunction: median UI in the euthyroid group was 8094 µg/24 h (Interquartile Range [IQR]: 4082-10766) vs. 10851 µg/24 h (IQR: 8529-12804) in the thyroid dysfunction group at 6 months (P=0.176) and 8651 µg/24 h (IQR: 6924-11574) vs. 8551 µg/24 h (IQR: 4916-13580) at one year from amiodarone initiation (P=0.886). The occurrence of thyroid dysfunction was equally distributed among patients taking amiodarone for more than one year versus those under treatment for less than one year.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These results confirm the long-lasting total-body iodine stores and consequent excretion in patients after amiodarone withdrawal. These long-lasting iodine stores might be taken into special account in patients necessitating therapy with radioactive iodine and for long-term monitoring of thyroid function after amiodarone discontinuation.</p>","PeriodicalId":18690,"journal":{"name":"Minerva endocrinology","volume":" ","pages":"17-22"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141734639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metabolic health and quality of life in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Konstantin Hofmann, Susanne Singer, Susanne Theis, Annette Hasenburg, Roxana Schwab, Christine Skala","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04245-9","DOIUrl":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04245-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that can result in reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Metabolic changes, particularly insulin resistance and obesity, play a significant role in PCOS pathogenesis. This study examined associations between metabolic factors and HRQOL in PCOS patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study of 77 patients was conducted at University Medical Center Mainz. At the time of inclusion in the study, patients had to be over 18 and not undergoing active PCOS therapy. A desire to conceive or fertility therapy led to exclusion. Participants were over 18, not undergoing PCOS therapy, and not seeking pregnancy. HRQOL and psychological distress were measured using the Modified-PCOS-Questionnaire (MPCOSQ) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Linear regression analyses assessed associations between metabolic markers and HRQOL, with significant variables included in a multivariate model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Worsening metabolic markers were linked to lower HRQOL, especially in body hair and menstrual symptom domains. Markers such as HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance) levels (P=0.040), elevated VAI (Visceral Adiposity Index) (P=0.035), and increased FLI (Fatty Liver Index) (P=0.023) were associated with diminished HRQOL. In the multivariate regression analysis, only a BMI ≥25kg/m² (P=0.001) emerged as a statistically significant value.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study showed a significant correlation between metabolic markers, including BMI, FLI, VAI, HOMA-IR, and HRQOL in PCOS patients. BMI was the most meaningful predictor for HRQOL. BMI, despite being controversial and prone to errors, may be more indicative of HRQOL than specific metabolic markers.</p>","PeriodicalId":18690,"journal":{"name":"Minerva endocrinology","volume":" ","pages":"34-42"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of lenvatinib in different types of thyroid cancer.","authors":"Catarina Regala, Tiago N Silva, Valeriano Leite","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04309-X","DOIUrl":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04309-X","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Advanced and progressive thyroid cancer (TC) such as radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer (RAIR-TC), presents a significant clinical challenge due to its poorer prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Lenvatinib is an oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase approved as first line for the treatment of RAIR-TC.</p><p><strong>Evidence acquisition: </strong>We provide a comprehensive review of lenvatinib in the management of advanced thyroid cancer including RAIR-TC, poorly differentiated (PDTC), anaplastic (ATC) and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). A search was carried out on PubMed up to July 2024 to identify all relevant studies. The research was performed using the terms \"thyroid neoplasms\" (MeSH Terms) AND \"lenvatinib\" (MeSH Terms).</p><p><strong>Evidence synthesis: </strong>Lenvatinib demonstrated beneficial outcomes in treating RAIR-TC with most patients achieving either partial response or stable disease, which led to its approval by regulatory agencies worldwide. In PDTC, lenvatinib demonstrated potential therapeutic usefulness, whereas its efficacy as a monotherapy in ATC has yielded less consistent outcomes. However, in ATC the combination of lenvatinib with immune check point inhibitors (such as pembrolizumab) seem promising. In MTC, the available data is limited to phase II studies. Adverse effects of any grade occur in almost all lenvatinib-treated patients and mostly have a time specific sequence of occurrence. Therapy discontinuations due to adverse events are not uncommon, and in some cases, drug-related fatalities may occur.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Lenvatinib demonstrated clinical efficacy and safety in both clinical trials and real-world studies for the treatment of patients with different types of thyroid cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":18690,"journal":{"name":"Minerva endocrinology","volume":" ","pages":"43-52"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144743134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recurrence factors in familial papillary thyroid carcinoma.","authors":"Antonio Ríos, Iñaki Amunategui, José Ruiz Pardo, José A Puñal, Pablo Moreno-Llorente, Enrique Mercader, Eduardo Ferrero Herrero, Miguel Á Morlán, Javier Martín, Manuel Durán-Poveda, José M Bravo, Daniel Casanova, María P Salvador-Egea, Nuria M Torregrosa, Amaya Expósito-Rodríguez, Gloria Martínez-Fernández, Ana M Carrión, Oscar Vidal, Francisco Herrera, Jesús Villar, Cristina Sabater, Carlos J Magdalena, Susana Ros, Marta González-Pérez, Guadalupe Ruiz-Merino, José M Rodríguez González","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04264-2","DOIUrl":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04264-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has classically been considered a sporadic carcinoma. However, a subgroup with familial clustering has been observed, which appears to present a poorer prognosis than the sporadic form. The aim of this study is to analyze the recurrence rates and prognostic factors for familial PTC (FPTC) treated with curative intent.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Multicenter national study, endorsed by the Spanish Association of Surgeons. Study population: patients with FPTC (families who have at least 2 first-degree relatives with a confirmed PTC) who meet cure criteria after the treatment. Study endpoints: recurrence rate and risk factors for recurrence. Statistical analysis: Cox regression analysis and survival analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 252 cases with a mean follow-up of 90±68,9 months, recurrence in 26.9% (N.=68) and a disease-free survival of 183,46±7,8 months. In the multivariate analysis, the independent factors for the risk of recurrence were: 1) the number of patients with FPTC in the family (OR 1.165); 2) the multifocality (OR 2.525); 3) the vascular invasion (OR 2.770); and 4) TNM staging system (OR 5.128). In the reanalysis that included the American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk of recurrence, this variable was highly predictive of recurrence (OR 12.048).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>FPTC presents a high recurrence rate, which is related to the number of cases of FPTC in the family, the presence of multifocality and vascular invasion, the TNM staging system and the ATA recurrence risk assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":18690,"journal":{"name":"Minerva endocrinology","volume":" ","pages":"4-16"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145743291","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reporting on the real-world safety and effectiveness of oral semaglutide in improving glycemic control and reducing cardiovascular risk: a letter to the editor.","authors":"Antonio M Labate, Giancarla Meregalli, Francesca Nicolì, Giulia Ongis, Lorenzo Moretti, Emanuele Allemand, Maria L Spina, Provvidenza Villari","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04395-7","DOIUrl":"10.23736/S2724-6507.25.04395-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18690,"journal":{"name":"Minerva endocrinology","volume":" ","pages":"96-97"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144540868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}